Salinas man killed in high-speed wreck

A 29-year-old Salinas man was killed Sunday in Gilroy when his vehicle flew off the street mid-turn and smashed into a roadside tree, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Officers responded at 2:56 a.m. to Murray Avenue and Chestnut Street where they discovered the driver unresponsive and the 2004 Mercedes smoking. As a precaution officers extricated the driver, who later succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Further investigation revealed the driver hit a turn driving at a high rate of speed. The vehicle's momentum caused him to slide off the road, onto the sidewalk and into a tree.

The driver was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision. He was alone in the wreck and no other vehicles were involved.

Investigators are unsure if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident.

Representatives of the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office weren't immediately available Monday afternoon to identify the man. CHP Officer Herb Kellogg was unsure if the man's identity could be released Monday afternoon.